Louis Mitchell, Jr. v. California
DueProcess Punishment Privacy JusticiabilityDoctri
Does the mandatory weighing of aggravating and mitigating circumstances under the California death penalty statute—a factfinding determination that serves to increase the statutory maximum for the crime—violate the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments where there is no requirement this determination must be found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt?
QUESTION PRESENTED Does the mandatory weighing of aggravating and mitigating circumstances under the California death penalty statute—a factfinding determination that serves to increase the statutory maximum for the crime— violate the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments where there is no requirement this determination must be found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt? i